The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1887-03-17

out regard to the form its laws may
take or the agencies which enact them.
In view Of the facts ! think it wise to
recommend substitute for the ex-
isting laws, 50 far as they re
fer 10. the evying Of taxes far
which coupons have been rendered The
State had expressed a steadfast determi-
nation to adhere to the Riddleberger
settlement and does not admit her abilitv,
based upon it's present taxation, to psy
more Of the principal and interest than
that settlement demands, and claims
that her annual revenue will be absorbed
by such an amount of interest added to
her other necessary expenses. The
question of the financial ability of the
State would seem then to be the sole
point of difference between the Common
wealth and her creditors or, in other
words, how much can the State pay
without increasing her taxes.
RECOMMENDS A COMMISSIONS.
II repeat my former recommenda-
ton for the appointment Of commission
whose duty it shall he to demon
strate to a similar commission from
the bondholsiers the exact facts and
figures which make mp the States
revenues and expenditures and point out
not only what are thea valuable revenues,
after providing for the constitutional ap-
preparations, for the Government schools
and other public expenditures, but dem
Onstrate to them what revenue remains
after the regular annual Legislative ap-
propriatiOns, and which are not included
in the Constitutional appropriations. The
duties Of sasch q commission should be
so plainly defined and their powers SO
carefully prescribed, guarded and other
wise limited that no nlisconceptiOn could
be indulged in ON the part Of any one.
Such commission should be empowered
to explain the settlement of 1881
and 1889 to the creditors. and point
out that which addresses itself to
that interest As well as to the interests of
the State. 1t should be clothed with no
power and have no other duties to per-
form, but to urge the settlement Nir-
ginia has decreed and to represent how
futile have been their efforts in the past
to resist the determination of our people;
that the future holds out to them only
the prospect Of interminable litigation,
injurious alike to them and to us; and
that the achievement OF mere illusory
triumpls in the courts are fraught with
no substantial advantages to li.igants on
either side. Ii should be the duty Of the
commission To point out tO them the vast,
untried and unexpended power which
resides in a united and resolute
people. and caution them against the
danger of arousing a public sentiment
which might be forgetful of all sense of
justice, and, taking counsel only from
passion, destroy interests which we are
now striving to protect. 1t is believed
that II those holding the outstanding in
debtedness of the State could meet,
through their committee, face to face.
such commission here in Virginia or
elsewhere and hear and see for them
selves be confronted by stubborn facts
as they exist at present and be i'm
pressed with the uncertainty which
dwells i'm the future. which constantly
exasperates and harnesses the public
mind, they would be willing to
fund such outstanding indebtedness into
bonds of this settlement, whose value
would be at once greatly increased.
Such action on their part solves the
problem and terminates the agitation.
Virginia will act i'm good faith. will pay
her debt thus ascertained and acquiesced
in by both contracting parties.
THE DRUMNER's TAX CASE.
The Governor then recommends, in
view of the recent decision of the United
States Supreme Court in the drummer's
tax case, that our laws be 80 conformed
to that decision as to give due protection
to the resident merchants. He says
ut should be the duty Of the Legislature
to give every protection to the citizens of
Virginia. SO az to prevent competition on
unequal terms between our home mer-
chants and manufacturers. and those
who pay no taxes to the support of the
State government. 1t is a difficult and
grave question, and it may he necessary
for the Legislature to adapt all our
license taxes to this new condition Of